"There isn't much time left."

Perched against the edge of an open window, Snow's voice echoed through the tower with clarity. Inside, a bespectacled man with velvety hair as dark as the midnight sky - turned to face the Phoenix with a clinical gaze.

The two stared silently at one another, before the man robed in black turned away. His ink-black eyes fixed to a broad map pinned to the wall. It displayed the location of a vast region - stretched over mountains and dappled with thick forestry. An area brimming with danger.

"How bad is her condition?" River questioned, staring at a single spot marked with red on the map.

Snow lowered his beak. A film of frustration in those beady golden eyes. "I was able to keep it under control, but it's becoming out of hand even for me," the spirit's voice wavered. "Her mother's condition has been heightening the levels of stress. With the way things are going-"

"I'll speak to the duke today. I needed to visit the Cherliann estate, anyway," River sighed. "It's about time we informed them about this secret endeavour of ours."

Snow blinked. "Does that mean I'll have to reveal myself to her family?"

River's footsteps echoed through the room as he moved closer to the map. "Yes. After all," He turned, gaze flickering toward Snow.

"I've finally located that spirit stone."

The gentle, mellifluous sound of a lullaby pervaded Sarah Cherliann's room, as she laid upright in her bed with a melancholic smile. Her lips pressed together as she hummed softly; a song without words. Her right hand draped over her stomach, she could feel the tiny prickle of her baby's presence.

It hadn't been very long, but she knew her body's state was deteriorating little by little with every passing day. The worried faces of her children, her husband, and everyone within the duchy — played through her mind like a film as she sighed softly. Sarah was well aware of her condition. Still, she remained determined to live.

My little child... She would smile, closing her eyes. I will do my best to bring you safely into this world, so please...

Please grow up healthy...

The sound of a knock resounded from her bedroom door, and as Sarah glanced up - her eyes widened ever so slightly at the mess of a man who entered.

Dark bags hung beneath those crimson irises. Silver strands of hair all messily strewn over his head. And that handsome face was wracked with every bad emotion one could name. Sarah stared in bewilderment at the state of her husband. How could he have gone from a regal, composed and icy duke - to a drunkard overnight?

She was still cross with him, but could not resist the urge to laugh when she laid eyes upon Rudien. A smile played at her lips as she stifled her amusement. "Well, you look terrible-"

The duke sighed softly, closing the door behind him. He remained silent for a moment, and Sarah observed him as he searched for the right words. Rudien awkwardly opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out.

Seeing him like this was enough to prove he regretted proposing they abandon the baby in her womb, in order to ensure Sarah's safety. Though the thought of losing his child filled Rudien with a dread he could not fathom, he knew he would be completely ruined by the loss of his wife.

The duchess only smiled at him softly.

"I'm not going to give up on this child, Rudien." She told him, her gaze falling to her stomach. Even if it meant she placed risk on herself in the process, Sarah's resolve was strong. The steely look in her crystal-blue eyes glinted under the light, and the duke could only see that her mind had been made.

"...I know," he finally said, his voice almost a whisper. As Rudien approached her beside, strands of silver hair fell over his eyes and shadowed his forehead. "I can't support your decision knowing it puts you at risk..."

He clenched his fists. At last, the duke's scarlet eyes met Sarah's as he firmed his own resolve. "So I'll just have to make sure there are no more risks. I will ensure you're both safe, all the way until the baby is born."

Rudien knew what he was saying right now was like fighting the impossible - but there was a strong chance of Sarah's improvement, if he could pinpoint the reasons why her pregnancy was harming her this early on. He was determined to help his wife and see her survive.

Sarah gazed up at her husband, smiling softly. "We will get through this."

Just as the duke was about to approach her bed, the door burst open and a flustered Irene came rushing in.

Both Rudien and Sarah turned to face their daughter in surprise, eyes wide as they noticed the excitement displayed on her face.

"Mother!"

Just then, Irene noticed her father's presence. She blinked as the realisation dawned upon her. "Ah— was I disturbing something?"

Shoot, what bad timing! They were probably making up just now!

Sarah chuckled softly. "What has you so lively, Irene?"

Surprised by the presence of her father, Irene had almost forgotten what it was she wanted to say. It took her a moment to recall, but the thought soon came back to her and her smile returned. "Actually, I wanted to let you know that we're going to the annual summer festival again this year." She said.

"Oh, really?" Sarah smiled, tilting her head. "Who will you be going with?"

As Irene approached her mother's bedside, she took a seat on the mattress beside her. "Brother, Mikael, Prince Daniel, and Isabella," she told her. "Although, I think we're yet to tell the first prince about it."

Sarah reached out and tenderly brushed her daughter's hair around her ear, stroking her head. "Be careful and stay close to Rayvis and Mikael, okay? And make sure you have fun!"

Rudien watched them silently, beginning to feel somewhat left out as he observed the motherly love. It had been a while since he and Irene shared any moments like these. Perhaps now that she was getting older, her father was becoming less important.

The thought of this caused a crease to form between his brows.

"Irene." He called out, and watched as his daughter glanced up at him. Without another word, the man wrapped his arms around her and pulled Irene into a tight squeeze.

"WAH!" She yelped, being torn from her mother as Rudien scooped her right off the floor. "Mother! Help me!"

Sarah laughed loudly at the sight, as the silver-haired duke simply hoisted his daughter onto his arm. Irene tried to wriggle out of his hold, but to no avail. He was way too strong and annoyingly tall.

"Papa! What are you doing?" Facing her father with an exasperated look, Rudien only averted his gaze. She could have sworn there was a hint of envy in his scarlet eyes, and those taut cheeks of his were turning a faint pink.

"Why were you only telling your mother about it and didn't say anything to me...?" He grumbled.

Irene stared at him with wide eyes as she clung to her father's shoulders in disbelief. The way he was pouting about not receiving attention was simply hilarious - but not unexpected. Rudien had even turned her away from seeing Sarah, so that she could only be facing him.

Something he did often when she was a baby.

This man never changes. I'm scared he's going to do this even when I'm an adult.

Irene heaved a sigh, giving in. Luckily, she knew how to easily placate this obsessive father of hers.

Leaning forward, she gently planted a small kiss on his cheek.

Rudien stiffened up completely.

Sarah marvelled at the sight, covering her mouth with a hand. More than the duchess ever could, her daughter was still the greatest at conquering this man even after twelve years.

"As soon as I come back, I'll tell you all about it before Mother," Irene smiled, gently patting her father's head as if he were a large hound. "That would make it fair, right?"

Rudien nodded silently, and soon set Irene back down to her feet. She gazed up at her father's tired visage, but felt a sense of relief welling inside her when she noticed him smiling at her tenderly.

This was the first time he smiled so genuinely in what felt like forever.

"Make sure you stay safe." He told her gently.

Soon after leaving the room, Irene couldn't help but feel somewhat lightweight after that. Her parents and their love for her was something precious, but there was a chance of losing it altogether if things took a bad turn.

When she first entered this world as a newborn - her only desire was to prevent her future death. But soon, it ended up becoming something far greater than that.

Little by little, her family became a warm and loving place and Irene knew she was loved more than she ever had been. Perhaps she was being rewarded for enduring her past life - which she spent desolately and alone. Whatever the case was, Irene realised one thing.

Things were taking unpredictable directions everywhere she looked. This world was far greater than a writer like her could have ever anticipated - and though she faced many hurdles to reach this point, it didn't mean hardship wasn't going to bare its fangs.

A peaceful life was all she originally wanted. But could something like that ever be achieved, when things beyond Irene's control could instantly turn her life over?

She needed to protect this place. These people. The home she made for herself and grew settled into for twelve years. Starting with Sarah Cherliann, all over again.

👀

🛐